Refuse hopper

ABSTRACT

A refuse hopper is disclosed which may be mounted in the bed of a pick-up truck, a flat-bed truck or on a trailer. The refuse hopper includes a horizontally disposed support frame having a rear end, a front end, a first side and a second side. A hopper is pivotally mounted on the support frame and has a front end, a rear end, a front side and a second side. The refuse hopper is selectively movable between a horizontally disposed loading position and a dumping position. A compactor plate is pivotally mounted to the hopper and is movable between an upwardly extending loading position to a refuse packing position within the hopper. The hopper has a volume of about 2-4.5 cubic yards.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation Application of application Ser. No. 17/034,698filed Sep. 28, 2020 entitled REFUSE HOPPER, which is aContinuation-In-Part Application of application Ser. No. 16/922,113filed Jul. 7, 2020, entitled REFUSE HOPPER.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a refuse box or hopper for use with a flat-bedtruck, a pick-up truck or trailer. More particularly, this inventionrelates to a refuse box or hopper which is capable of dumping the refusetherein into a larger dumpster or a packer truck. Even more particularlythis invention relates to a refuse hauler which is smaller than otherrefuse haulers so that the refuse hauler of this invention is highlymobile and which is able to collect and compact refuse from locationswherein a large trash or refuse hauler could not reach.

Description of the Related Art

Many types of garbage or refuse trucks have been previously provided. Inmost cases, the refuse trucks of the prior art are very large anddifficult to maneuver. Further, in many instances, the refuse to bepicked up by the large trucks is minimal and hardly worth the timeeffort to collect the refuse from smaller sites.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects oressential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summaryis not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

A refuse box or hopper is disclosed which may be used with either aflat-bed truck, a pick-up truck or a trailer. The refuse box or hopperof this invention is capable of dumping the refuse therein into a largerdumpster or packer truck. The invention includes a horizontally disposedsupport frame having a front end, a rear end, a first side and a secondside. The support frame is secured to the box of a pick-up truck or tothe bed of a trailer. An upstanding first hopper support, having a lowerend, an upper end, a front side and rear side, with its lower endsecured to the support frame at the rear end thereof. A first bearing ismounted on the upper end of the first hopper support. An upstandingsecond hopper support, having a lower end, an upper end, a front sideand a rear side, has its lower end secured to the support frame at therear end thereof. The first and second hopper supports are spaced apart.A second bearing is mounted on the upper end of the second hoppersupport.

A refuse hopper is pivotally mounted on the support frame and has avolume of approximately 2-4.5 cubic yards. The refuse hopper includes afront wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a rear wall and abottom wall. The rear wall of the refuse hopper is in inclined and has alower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first side anda second side. The rear wall extends upwardly and rearwardly from thelower end thereof to the upper end thereof. The bottom wall of thehopper extends between the lower ends of the first side wall, the secondside wall, the front wall and the rear wall.

The rear wall of the refuse hopper is pivotally secured to the first andsecond bearings on the upper ends of the first and second upper supportsrespectively. A first hydraulic cylinder, having a base end and a rodend, has its base end pivotally secured to the support frame and has itsrod end pivotally secured to the rear wall of the refuse hopper. Asecond hydraulic cylinder, having a base end and a rod end, has its baseend pivotally secured to the support frame and has its rod end pivotallysecured to the rear wall. The extension of the first and secondhydraulic cylinders cause the hopper to pivotally move from a loadingposition towards a dumping position.

A compactor plate is pivotally secured, about a transverse horizontallydisposed axis, to the rear wall of the hopper. An electric linearactuator, having a base end and a rod end, is movable between retractedand extended positions. The base end of the electric linear actuator isoperatively secured to the hopper. A linkage pivotally secures the rodend of the electric linear actuator to the upper end of the compactorplate. The compactor plate is positioned between the first and secondside walls when the electric linear actuator is in the extendedposition. The compactor plate is in a horizontally disposed positionwhen the electric linear actuator is partially extended. The compactorplate is in an upright position above the hopper when the electriclinear actuator is in the retracted position. The compactor platefunctions as a wind screen when in a horizontally disposed position.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide animproved refuse hopper.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refuse hopper having acapacity of approximately 2-4.5 cubic yards.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refuse hopper whichmay be mounted on a pick-up truck or a trailer.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refuse hopper having asmaller size than most refuse haulers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refuse hopper which iseconomical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the refuse hopper of this inventionmounted in the box of a pick-up truck;

FIG. 2 is a first side elevational view of the refuse hopper of thisinvention with the refuse hopper being in a non-dumping position withthe compactor plate of this invention in a vertically disposed position;

FIG. 3 is a second side elevational view of the refuse hopper of thisinvention with the refuse hopper being in a non-dumping position withthe compactor plate of this invention in a vertically disposed position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the refuse hopper of this inventionin its transport position with the compactor plate of this inventionbeing in its horizontal wind screen position;

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 except that the compactor plateof this invention is in its hopper fill position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 except that therefuse hopper is in its dumping position;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the refuse hopper of thisinvention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating the support structurefor the compactor plate of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hopper portion of the refuse hopperof this invention;

FIG. 10 is a top elevational view of the hopper portion of the refusehopper of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a typical side elevational view of the hopper portion of therefuse hopper of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial exploded perspective view of support structure forthe hopper portion of the refuse hopper of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view of the hopper portion of thisinvention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a portion of the pivot support structure ofthe refuse hopper of this invention;

FIG. 15 is a top elevational view of a portion of the hopper supportframe;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the support frame of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of the compactor plate support andthe means for pivotally moving the compactor plate;

FIG. 18 is a partial side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a partial rear perspective view of the rear end of the hopperand some of the pivot support structure thereof;

FIG. 20 is a partial side view of the refuse hopper of this inventionmounted on a trailer; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic of the hydraulic system of this invention and thecontrols thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to theaccompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way ofillustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments aredisclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of thepresent invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The numeral 10 refers to the refuse hopper assembly of this inventionwhich includes a horizontally disposed support frame 12 and a hopper 14pivotally secured thereto which may be selectively movable between aloading and transport position and a dumping position as will bedescribed in detail hereinafter. The refuse hopper assembly 10 ispreferably mounted in the box 16 of a pick-up truck 18 or mounted on atrailer 20 as seen in FIG. 20. The refuse hopper assembly 10 could bemounted on a flat-bed truck.

Support frame 12 is horizontally disposed and includes an elongatedfirst side frame member 22 having a front end 24 and a rear end 25. Thenumeral 26 refers to a vertically disposed frame upright or hoppersupport which is comprised of a pair of horizontally spaced-apart framemembers or plates 28 and 30 which have their lower ends welded to therear end of side frame member 22. The upper ends of frame members 28 and30 have a bearing mount 32 secured thereto.

Support frame 12 also includes a second side frame member 34 having arear end 36 and a front end 38. The numeral 40 refers to a verticallydisposed frame upright or hopper support which is comprised of a pair ofhorizontally spaced-apart frame members or plates 42 and 44 which havetheir lower ends welded to the rear end of side frame member 34. Theupper ends of frame members 42 and 44 have a bearing mount 46 securedthereto. Bearings 48 and 50 are secured to the bearing mounts 32 and 46respectively.

A horizontally disposed cross-frame member 52 is secured to and extendsbetween the front ends 24 and 38 of side frame members 22 and 24respectively. A cross-frame member 54 is secured to and extends betweenthe rear ends 25 and 36 of side frame members 22 and 24 respectively. Across-tube 56 is secured to and extends between the frame uprights 26and 40 below the upper ends thereof as seen in the drawings.

Hopper 14 includes a front wall 58, a rear wall 60, a first side wall62, a second side wall 64 and a bottom wall 66, all of which will bedescribed in more detail hereinafter. Front wall 58 includes avertically disposed upper wall portion 68 having an upper end 70 and alower end 72 Front wall 58 also includes an inclined lower wall portion74 which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the lower end 72 ofupper wall portion 68. The lower wall portion 74 has side edges 76 and78 and a horizontally disposed bottom edge 79.

Rear wall 60 includes an upper end 80 and a lower end 82. As seen, rearwall 60 extends downwardly and forwardly from its upper end 80 to itslower end 82. Rear wall 60 also includes side edges 84 and 86.

Side wall 62 includes an upper end 88, a lower end 90, a front end 92and a rear end 94. Side wall 62 has a vertically disposed wall portion96 at its upper end 88. Side wall 62 includes an inclined wall portion98. Side wall portion 98 extends downwardly and inwardly from the lowerend of wall portion 96 to the lower end 90 thereof. Side wall 62includes an inclined wall portion 100 which extends from the lower endof front end 92. The front end 92 of side wall 62 conforms to the sideedge 76 of front wall 58 and is welded thereto. The rear end 94 of sidewall 62 conforms to the side edge 84 of rear wall 60 and is weldedthereto.

Side wall 64 includes an upper end 102, a lower end 104, a front end106, and a rear end 108. Side wall 64 has a vertically disposed wallportion 110 at its upper end 102. Side wall 64 extends downwardly andinwardly from the lower end of wall portion 110 to lower end 104thereof. The front end 106 of side wall 64 conforms to the side edge 78of front wall 58 and is welded thereto. The rearward end 108 of sidewall 64 conforms to the side edge 86 of rear wall 60 and is weldedthereto. Bottom wall 66 is welded to the lower ends of front wall 58,side walls 62 and 64 and rear wall 60.

A brace or frame member 112 is welded to the upper ends of front wall58, side wall 62 and side wall 64. Various braces 114 are welded to theexterior of hopper 14 to strengthen the hopper 14.

A plurality of horizontally disposed and vertically spaced-apart supportmembers 116 are secured to the outer side of rear wall 60 by bolts 117or the like. A pair of horizontally spaced-apart and identical pivotplates 118 are secured to the support members 116 by welding. Each ofthe plates 118 have notches 119 formed therein which receive the supportmembers 116 therein. Each of the plates 118 has a rearwardly extendingportion 120 which has an upper pin opening 122 and a lower pin opening124 formed therein. The plates 118 are positioned so that the openings122 in plates 118 may receive the ends of a pin or shaft 124 thereinwhich extends through the bearing 48 which is secured to the bearingmount 32.

The numeral 126 refers to a hydraulic cylinder which is positionedbetween the plates 28 and 30 of frame upright 26. The rod end 128 ofcylinder 126 is pivotally connected to the plates 118 by a pivot pin 130which is received in the openings 124 of plates 118. The base end ofcylinder 126 is pivotally connected to the frame upright 26 by a pivotpin 131.

A second pair of pivot plates 118′ are secured to the support members116 at the other side of rear wall 60. The second pair of pivot plates118′ are pivotally secured to the bearing 50 mounted on bearing mount46. A hydraulic cylinder 132 has its base end pivotally secured to frameupright 40 by a pivot pin 133. The rod end of hydraulic cylinder 132 ispivotally connected to the openings 124′ of plates 118′.

When the hydraulic cylinders 126 and 132 are in the retracted position,hopper 14 will be positioned on the support frame 12 in a loading ortransport position (FIG. 4). When the hydraulic cylinders 126 and 132are extended, hopper 14 will be moved to the dumping position of FIG. 6.

The numeral 134 refers to a metal compactor plate. Compactor plate 134includes an upper end 136 having ends 138 and 140. Compactor plate 134has a side edge 142 which extends downwardly from end 138 thereof and aside edge 144 which extends downwardly from end 140 thereof. An inclinedside edge 146 extends downwardly and inwardly from the lower end of sideedge 142. An inclined side edge 148 extends downwardly and inwardly fromside edge 144. The lower end 150 of compactor plate 134 extends betweenthe lower ends of side edges 146 and 148.

Compactor plate 134 will be described as having an inner side 152 and anouter side 154. The outer side 154 of compactor plate 134 has anelongated reinforcing bar 156 welded thereto at the side edges 142 and146 and has an elongated reinforcing bar 158 welded thereto at the sideedges 144 and 148. The outer side 154 of compactor plate 134 has anelongated reinforcing bar 160 welded thereto at lower end 150 thereof.The outer side 154 of compactor plate 134 also has elongated reinforcingbars 162 and 164 welded thereto. A plate 165 is welded to bars 162 and164 at the upper ends thereof. An elongated and horizontally disposedframe member 166 extends laterally from frame 167, which will bedescribed in detail hereinafter, above the compactor plate 134. Anelongated and horizontally disposed frame member 168 extends laterallyfrom frame 167 above compactor plate 134. The inner ends of framemembers 166 and 168 are spaced-apart. Frame 167 includes a pair ofspaced-apart and horizontally disposed frame members 170 and 172 havingvertically disposed plate portions 174 and 175 at the rearward endsthereof respectively.

The numeral 176 refers to an angled support having ends 178 and 180. End178 of support 176 is welded to plate 165. The apex of support 176 hasan opening 182 formed therein. End 180 of support 176 is pivotallysecured to plate portion 174 at 184 by a pivot pin 186. The numeral 188refers to an angled support having ends 190 and 192. The end 190 ofsupport 188 is welded to plate 165. The apex of support 188 has anopening 195 formed therein which is aligned with opening 182 of support176. End 192 of support 188 is pivotally secured to plate portion 175 bya pivot pin 193. As seen in FIG. 8, plate 194 is welded to frame member166 and a plate 196 is welded to frame member 168.

The numeral 198 refers to an angled support which has its upper endpivotally secured to plate 194 by a pivot bolt 200. The lower end ofsupport 198 is welded to reinforcing bar 156. The numeral 202 refers toan angled support which has its upper end pivotally secured to plate 196by pivot bolt 204. The lower end of support 202 is welded to reinforcingbar 158. The numeral 206 refers to an elongated and horizontallydisposed pivot rod. One end of pivot rod 206 is secured to angledsupport 198 at the apex thereof. Rod 206 extends through opening 182 insupport 176 and through opening 195 in support 188. The end of rod 206is secured to support 202 at the apex thereof.

Elongated and horizontally spaced-apart links 208 and 210 have one endthereof rotatably receiving pivot rod 206 between supports 176 and 188.An elongated link 212 has its rearward end pivotally secured to links208 and 210 and has its forward end pivotally secured to plate portion174 by a pivot bolt 214. An elongated link 216 has its rearward endpivotally secured to links 208 and 210. The forward end of link 216 ispivotally secured to plate portion 175 by a pivot bolt 218. Links 220and 222 are pivotally secured to links 208 and 210 and extend therefrom.The other ends of links 220 and 222 are pivotally secured to a clevis224 which is secured to the rod 226 of an electric linear actuator 228.The base end of the electric linear actuator 228 is pivotally secured toforward ends of frame members 170 and 172 at 230. The electric linearactuator 228 is powered by a battery on the frame of the refuse hopperor by the electrical system of the truck, pick-up truck or trailer. Theelectric linear actuator 228 is conventional in design with the rod 226thereof being movable between extended and retracted positions.

The frame 167 includes a front frame member 232, side frame member 234and 236, cross-frame member 238 and short frame members 240 and 242. Theframe member 232 of frame 167 is positioned on and secured to the framemember 112 on the upper end of front wall 56. Frame member 234 of frame167 is positioned on and secured to the frame member 112 on the upperend of the side wall 62. Frame member 236 of frame 167 is positioned onand secured to the frame member 112 on the upper end of side wall 64. Aroof or top wall, not shown, is usually positioned on and secured to theframe members 232, 234 and 236 and extends thereover except for the areawherein the electric linear actuator 228 is located.

FIG. 21 illustrates the hydraulic system 244 of this invention. System244 includes a hydraulic fluid reservoir 246 which is fluidly connectedto a strainer 248 by line 250. Line 252 fluidly connects strainer 248 toan electrically driven pump 254 which is driven by a 12-volt motor 256.The numeral 260 refers to a solenoid operated directional controlassembly. Fluid line 262 extends from assembly 260 to one end ofhydraulic cylinder 132. Fluid line 264 extends from line 262 to one endof hydraulic cylinder 126. Line 270 extends from assembly 260 toreservoir 246. A pressure relief valve 280 is imposed in line 258.

Assuming that the cylinders 126 and 132 are in the retracted position ofFIG. 21, the cylinders 126 and 132 will be filled with hydraulic fluidoutwardly of the pistons thereof. When the cylinders are in theretracted position, the hopper 14 will be in the lower loading andtransport position when it is desired to pivot the hopper 14 from theloading and transport position of FIG. 1 to the dumping position of FIG.6, the assembly 260 will be operated to supply hydraulic fluid to theinner end of cylinder 126 by way of lines 262 and 264 and to supplyhydraulic fluid to the inner end of cylinder 132 by way of line 262 toextend the cylinders 126 and 132. During the extension of cylinders 126and 132, hydraulic fluid in the cylinders outwardly of the pistonsthereof will be exhausted to the assembly 260 by way of lines 268 and266 and then supplied to reservoir 246 by way of line 270. When it isdesired to pivot the hopper 14 from its dumping position to its loadingand transport position, assembly 260 will be operated to supplyhydraulic fluid to the outer ends of cylinders 126 and 132 by way of thelines 266 and 268. At that time, the hydraulic fluid in the cylinders126 and 132 inwardly of the pistons thereof will be supplied to assembly260 by way of the lines 264 and 262 and then returned to reservoir 246by line 270.

The components within the dashed lines are part of the 12-volt motorpump 256. All valves are controlled by momentary switches.

As stated, the electric linear actuator 228 is movable between retractedand extended positions. The compactor plate 134 is in a horizontallydisposed position when the electric linear actuator 228 is partiallyextended. The compactor plate 134 is in an upright position above thehopper 14 when the electric linear actuator 228 is in the retractedposition. The compactor plate 134 functions as a wind screen when in ahorizontally disposed position. Although it is preferred that anelectric linear actuator 228 be used to pivotally move the compactorplate 134 between its various positions, the electric linear actuatorcould be replaced by a hydraulic cylinder such as described in theco-pending application.

Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of itsstated objectives.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specificto certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understoodthat the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarilylimited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, thespecific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing theclaimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can bepracticed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

We claim:
 1. A refuse hopper for installation on a truck having a bedwith a rear end, a front end, a first side and a second side,comprising: a horizontally disposed support frame having a front end, arear end, a first side and a second side; said support frame beingsecured to the bed of the truck; an upstanding first hopper supporthaving a lower end, an upper end, a front side and a rear side; saidlower end of said first hopper support being secured to said supportframe at said rear end thereof; a first bearing mounted on said upperend of said first hopper support; an upstanding second hopper supporthaving a lower end, an upper end, a front side and a rear side; saidlower end of said second hopper support being secured to said supportframe at the rear end thereof; a second bearing mounted on said upperend of said second hopper support; a refuse hopper pivotally mounted onsaid support frame; said refuse hopper being selectively pivotallymovable between loading and dumping positions; said refuse hopperincluding a front wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a rearwall and a bottom wall; said front wall of said refuse hopper having anupper end, a lower end, a first side and a second side; said first sidewall including: (a) a vertically disposed upper side wall portion havingan upper end and a lower end; (b) an inclined side wall portion havingan upper end, a lower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an inner sideand an outer side; (c) said upper end of said inclined side wall portionbeing secured to said lower end of said vertically disposed upper sidewall portion thereof; (d) said inclined side wall portion extendingdownwardly and inwardly from said lower end of said vertically disposedupper side wall portion thereof; said second side wall including: (a) avertically disposed upper side wall portion having an upper end and alower end; (b) an inclined side wall portion having an upper end, alower end, a forward end, a rearward end, an inner side and an outerside; (c) said upper end of said inclined side wall portion beingsecured to said lower end of said vertically disposed upper side wallportion thereof; (d) said inclined side wall portion extendingdownwardly and inwardly from said lower end of said vertically disposedupper side wall portion thereof; said rear wall of said refuse hopperbeing inclined and having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, anouter side, a first side and a second side; said rear wall of saidrefuse hopper extending upwardly and rearwardly from said lower endthereof to said upper end thereof; said bottom wall of said refusehopper being secured to and extending between said lower end of saidfirst side wall of said refuse hopper, said second side wall of saidrefuse hopper, said lower end of said rear wall of said refuse hopperand said lower end of said front wall of said refuse hopper; said rearwall of said refuse hopper being pivotally secured to said first andsecond bearings about a horizontal axis; a first hydraulic cylinderhaving a base end and a rod end; said base end of said first hydrauliccylinder being pivotally secured to said support frame; said rod end ofsaid first hydraulic cylinder being pivotally secured to said rear wallof said refuse hopper; a second hydraulic cylinder having a base end anda rod end; said base end of said second hydraulic cylinder beingpivotally secured to said support frame; said rod end of said secondhydraulic cylinder being pivotally secured to said rear wall of saidrefuse hopper; the extension of said first and second hydrauliccylinders causing said refuse hopper to pivotally move from said loadingposition towards said dumping position; a compactor plate having a firstside, a second side, an inner side and an outer side; said compactorplate including: (a) an upper end with first and second ends; (b) avertically disposed first side edge, having upper and lower ends,extending downwardly from said first end of said upper end of saidcompactor plate; (c) an inclined first side edge, having upper and lowerends, extending downwardly and inwardly from said lower end of saidvertically disposed first side edge thereof; (d) a vertically disposedsecond side edge, having upper and lower ends, extending downwardly fromsaid second end of said upper end of said compactor plate; (e) aninclined second side edge, having upper and lower ends, extendingdownwardly and inwardly from said lower end of said vertically disposedsecond side edge thereof; (f) said lower end of said compactor plateextending between said lower ends of said inclined first and second sideedges; said upper end of said compactor plate being operatively secured,about a transverse horizontal axis, to said upper ends of said first andsecond side walls of said refuse hopper; an electric linear actuatorhaving a base end and a rod end; said electric linear actuator beingmovable between retracted and extended positions; said base end of saidelectric linear actuator being operatively secured to said refusehopper; a linkage pivotally securing said rod end of said electriclinear actuator to said upper end of said compactor plate, the linkageincluding a clevis coupled to said rod end of said electric linearactuator, a pair of links coupled to said clevis, and a second pair oflinks pivotally secured to the pair of links; when said electric linearactuator is in said extended position: (a) said vertically disposedfirst side edge of said compactor plate is positioned adjacent saidvertically disposed upper side wall portion of said first side wall ofsaid refuse hopper; (b) said vertically disposed second side edge ofsaid compactor plate is positioned adjacent said vertically disposedupper side wall portion of said second side wall of said refuse hopper;(c) said inclined first side edge of said compactor plate is positionedadjacent said inclined side wall portion of said first side wall of saidrefuse hopper; and (d) said inclined second side edge of said compactorplate is positioned adjacent said inclined side wall portion of saidsecond wall of said refuse hopper; said compactor plate being in ahorizontally disposed position when said electric linear actuator ispartially extended; and said compactor plate being in an uprightposition above said hopper when said electric linear actuator is in saidretracted position.